Al Hilal to Face Manchester City in the Round of 16 of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

6/26/2025

The FIFA Club World Cup once again presents a prestigious showdown between two football giants from different continents. This time, Asian powerhouse Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia will go head-to-head with Manchester City, the UEFA Champions League winners, in a highly anticipated match that has captured the attention of football fans around the world.

This match brings together two teams with distinctly different playing philosophies. Al Hilal, known for their fast-paced attacking football and relentless fighting spirit typical of Asian clubs, will face Manchester City, led by Pep Guardiola and renowned for their disciplined, structured possession-based style of play.

Match Setup

Al Hilal advanced as runners-up of Group H after a 2–0 win over Pachuca on June 26, 2025, in Nashville. Goals from Salem Al-Dawsari (22') and Marcos Leonardo (injury time) secured their place in the Round of 16.
Manchester City topped their group after winning all three games (against Wydad AC, Al Ain, and Juventus), including a dominant 5–2 victory over Juventus on June 26 in Orlando.

Match Schedule

This highly anticipated showdown will take place on:
Date: Monday–Tuesday, June 30 / July 1, 2025
Time: 02:00 AM WIB
Venue: Camping World Stadium, Orlando.

Al Hilal

Strong form: • Only 1 goal conceded in the group stage (1–1 draw with Real Madrid, 0–0 vs Salzburg, 2–0 win over Pachuca).
Star-studded lineup: • Featuring João Cancelo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves, Aleksandar Mitrović; managed by Simone Inzaghi.
High ambition: • Backed by Saudi Arabia’s PIF fund, Al Hilal is aiming to cement its place on the global stage

Manchester City

Flawless form: • Won all group matches with 13 goals scored; unbeaten.
Talent-rich squad: • Blends youth like Doku and Foden with elite striker Haaland, captained by Bernardo Silva.
Champions’ mentality: • Reigning Club World Cup champions (2023), after beating Fluminense 4–0 in the final.

Extra Notes & Insights

First-ever official clash between both sides.
New 32-team format at the 2025 Club World Cup makes this edition more unpredictable and competitive.
Quarterfinal implications: Winner will face either Inter Milan or Fluminense.

Quick Prediction

City are slight favorites due to squad depth and dominant group stage performance.
Al Hilal could threaten with disciplined tactics and swift counterattacks.
Match fitness, mental strength, and game management could be deciding factors.

Conclusion

The Al Hilal vs Manchester City clash will be a thrilling battle between two elite teams with contrasting styles. While City brings Champions League pedigree and momentum, Al Hilal’s tactical strength and global ambition could set the stage for an upset. Whatever the outcome, this will be one of the most anticipated fixtures in the tournament.